“A transthoracic echocardiography”

TTE, is a very important and safe test that we use to look at your child’s heart. It’s completely non-invasive, which means we don’t need to do anything that would break the skin or be painful. It’s kind of like an ultrasound that you might have had during pregnancy, but this one is for the heart.

Here’s what will happen during the test:

Preparation:

When you and your child come to the clinic, we’ll take you to a quiet room where the test will be done. Your child will be asked to lie down on an examination bed. We’ll ask them to remove their shirt so we can access the chest, but we’ll keep them covered and comfortable with a gown or blanket.

Applying Gel:

We’ll put a small amount of warm gel on your child’s chest. This gel helps the ultrasound probe, which is a small handheld device, to make good contact with the skin and get clear images of the heart.

Taking the Images:

The technician or doctor will gently move the ultrasound probe over your child’s chest. As they do this, the probe sends out sound waves that bounce off the heart and create detailed pictures of the heart’s structure and function on a screen. Your child will need to lie still, and sometimes they might be asked to change positions or take a deep breath so we can get the best possible images.

What We’re Looking For:

This test allows us to see how well your child’s heart is pumping, check if the heart valves are working properly, and look for any abnormalities in the heart’s structure, such as holes or thickened areas. It also helps us assess the blood flow through the heart.

Duration:

The whole test usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes. It’s painless and there’s no radiation involved, so it’s very safe.

After the Test:

Once the test is done, we’ll wipe off the gel and your child can get dressed. There are no side effects, so they can return to their normal activities right away. The doctor will review the images and discuss the results with you, explaining what they mean for your child’s heart health. Overall, TTE is a key tool that helps us understand your child’s heart health in great detail, and it’s completely safe and comfortable for them. If you have any questions or if your child feels nervous, we’ll be here to make sure they feel as calm and reassured as possible.